*Note that your interfaced waistband should be touching the outside of your bodice and the non-interfaced waistband should be touching the inside of your bodice. If you happen to get these two mixed up, it's not the end of the world or anything!

30) Sew along the short edges & long straight edge, starting and stopping at the dots- I marked mine in blue below.

31) Grade your seams & clip your corners to reduce bulk at your waist! I have to say I have become obsessed with grading my seams ever since I saw Heather Lou do the same over on the Closet Case Blog!

32) Turn your waistband out and press it downwards. feel free to use a point turner or chopstick or even a flat head screwdriver (that's what I use!) to get those corners really sharp!

33) Topstitch the edges again starting and stopping at the dots. If you only marked your dots on the inside of the pattern pieces like I tend to do, simply stop sewing 5/8" / 1.5 cm from the end of your waistband's bottom raw edge.

We are officially halfway done! The bodice is complete (minus our buttons, and that is something to feel proud about! Now rest up, because tomorrow we are assembling our skirt!